Highly Skilled Therapists

Isla Lara Lucia

Isla Lara Lucia has been a state licensed therapist and massage instructor for over 30 years. Passionate about all things related to wellness, she has a diverse background in dance, yoga, martial arts, meditation, and fitness training. Isla also has a strong interest in many spiritual paths and is an avid advocate of meditation, a practice she does twice daily.

All this –combined with her deep interest in the biological sciences and nutrition –aid her in assisting clients with their various health and wellness needs and goals. 

​Isla’s many experiences include: working in hospitals/nursing homes/medical rehabilitative centers; working with AIDS/HIV impacted individuals; working with sexual abuse survivors; and working with cancer patients (breast cancer being the largest group in her personal experience); and assisting those recovering from strokes.

Isla has also worked with special populations of children and adults including those diagnosed with autism, severe emotional disorders, mental illness, attention deficit and other learning disabilities. ​​And she holds advanced degrees in clinical psychology and criminal justice administration and has worked in the substance abuse treatment field with holistic techniques.

Isla was honored for her pioneering work in the field of restorative justice and known for outstanding community service and volunteerism in some of the most disadvantaged neighborhoods in the United States. The greatest recognition came in 2001 when President Bush Family’s Points of Light Foundation selected her as 1 of 10 in the nation for a GOAL award. ​



Highly Skilled Therapists

Martina Kowalke

23 years Experience Serving Clients in the United States and Europe (Massage and Cosmetology)

Martina comes to BEST courtesy of the beautiful country of Czechoslovakia where she began practicing in 1996. She graduated from the College of Cosmetology in 1995 and the Franz Behr Institute of Sports and Swedish massage in 1996, both in her home of birth. Since coming to the United States she has continued her education at Anthem college in Wisconsin and the Phoenix School of Holistic Health and Massage, Arizona.

She has lived and worked in several states in the US, but is now settling in the Hill Country with her son and a loving man from Texas.

Martina has an excellent “bed-side manner” – soft when required for delicate or frail clients and strong in working with athletes and those requiring deeper tissue techniques.

Like Isla, she is interested in working on the whole being with her clients. She has a strong interest in herbal medicine and hand-makes many lotions and creams she uses in facials and skin treatments.

Martina, like Isla, is also trained in a wide-range of massage modalities, including medical massage techniques such as cupping, fascial therapy, and lymphatic drainage massage, and ultra sound therapies, to name just as few.

She is a stellar and much needed addition to BEST.



S V
S V
02:28 22 Nov 22
So glad we found this place- owner was accommodating and very responsive even with short notice. Focused on specific areas we asked for. She was very knowledgeable and therapeutic techniques were unique. Maria was also great! Highly recommend!read more
April Isbell
April Isbell
22:06 06 Sep 22
Isla gave me the best massage I have ever had. She was thorough, treated problem areas with many therapies and had home care suggestions. Absolutely amazing!!read more
Angie Gearhart
Angie Gearhart
22:06 06 Sep 22
What a wonderful massage! Ricardo and Isla were so kind and knowledgeable! I get massages regularly and Ricardo was so professional and helpful with some pretty awful lower back pain.read more
Amiee Rohlfing
Amiee Rohlfing
23:49 03 Aug 22
Absolutely wonderful! Isla was very knowledgeable and taught techniques that I can do myself to help promote healing in troubled areas.read more
ashxlife
ashxlife
21:00 03 Aug 22
Amazing experience for both my husband and I!!! My husband surprised me with a couples massage, where the massage therapists came to our location. I deal with rheumatoid arthritis, which Isla had customized the massage to fit my specific needs. The massage was healing, and Isla’s expertise and passion for her work shined. Thus, I highly recommend others to take part in such an incredible experience.read more
Sarah Reed Jarvis
Sarah Reed Jarvis
16:40 08 May 22
Isla was awesome! She had great communication leading up to our appointment. The massage was perfect, as she focused on all the spots we discussed, providing relief and relaxation.read more
Caleb Hawkins
Caleb Hawkins
16:49 03 Apr 22
My girlfriend and I truly enjoyed our experience. Thank you!
Elizabeth Aguirre
Elizabeth Aguirre
19:11 05 Feb 22
My husband and I just got a couples massage while in Fredericksburg. Isla & Jon did our massages and they clearly know what they are doing.I’ve been getting massages for years and Jon exceeded my expectations. I like deep tissue so I like someone who can uses deep pressure in just the right locations. This was literally one of the very best massages I’ve ever had.My husband said Isla was THE best massage he had EVER received as well.If you need a great massage then look no further!read more
Mary Reynolds
Mary Reynolds
22:36 19 Nov 21
Excellent and relaxing massage. Will definitely visit again the next time I’m in Fredericksburg.
Beth Morrow
Beth Morrow
23:14 23 Aug 21
Are you ready to feel like a BRAND NEW HUMAN!!!!!!!!!!So, a group of us gals went to TX for a bachelorette and booked 2 masseuses, ISLA and JOHN, who came to our AirB&B for private massages. Not only were they extremely professional, they also accommodated each gal to their specific needs and areas of concern. They made sure to check for any skin allergies or sensitive areas prior to the massage (of course) and asked specific questions to make sure they were meeting our needs. THEY WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND!!!My masseuse was JOHN and he has the hands of an angel!!!!!! Perfect amount of pressure and really worked on getting my muscles relaxed and releasing all the tension. We had hilarious conversation (quietly) during the massage which made the whole experience THAT MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE!!! I am an odd person who tends to run more on the colder side (yes, even in 100 degree weather I was cold) and JOHN made sure to pile blankets on me so I could stay warm during the massage. ABOVE AND BEYOND, I’m telling you!!! I was a warm happy gal wrapped up like a burrito!!! ::owl screech:: (inside joke for John)We ALL felt like a completely brand new human after our massages. We were rejuvenated, relaxed, loose, limber, and ready to keep going for the rest of our weekend. EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED!!!!!!!They remained completely professional and provided an EXTREMELY RELAXING environment even though we were a group of rowdy gals celebrating a bachelorette party. We only wished they could have stayed to hang with us after.THANKS AGAIN JOHN AND ISLA!!!!!! YOU BOTH ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!read more
Madison Techmanski
Madison Techmanski
20:38 21 Aug 21
Isla and John are amazing! Best massage ever and great customer service
Julianne Pictou
Julianne Pictou
16:07 17 Jul 21
Isla was absolutely phenomenal. She’s been in the business for 31 years and it shows. She has an experienced touch. She gave tips, and showed stretches I could do to improve my ailments.My only regret is that I didn’t book for a longer session. If you are in town, do yourself a favor and get a massage from her, you’re body will thank you. If my husband and I are ever in town, the first thing we are going to do is to see Isla and Linda again.read more
Stephen Avila
Stephen Avila
16:04 17 Jul 21
I live in the DFW area. My wife and I found this place by accident and decided to give it a shot. When I say I would drive 4+ hours back down to Fredericksburg just to be blessed by Linda’s magical touch, I MEAN IT. Between Linda and Isla, there is wealth of knowledge and expertise that shines through almost instantly. They made a believer out of me. I’d bet my unborn child’s future school tuition that you will love this massage.read more
Kat F
Kat F
19:01 22 May 21
What can I say? This was perhaps the best massage I’ve ever had. Isla was knowledgeable, experienced and simply amazing! I only wish I lived closer so I could visit more often. Top marks all around. ❤read more
Humbertina Thiele
Humbertina Thiele
00:51 18 May 21
Ms. Isla is very amazing! I’ve had a lot of pain in my neck and shoulders for quite some time. She has alleviated a lot of the pain and I can turn my neck further. She is flexible and accommodates the individual needs of her clients. Will continue to return!read more
Shelby Stockton
Shelby Stockton
02:02 28 Apr 21
My wife and I both had amazing massages! We highly recommend these ladies. The combination of skill and knowledge is outstanding.read more
Roshanda Wright
Roshanda Wright
23:30 18 Mar 21
I booked Isla & Linda for a couples massage in Fredericksburg. They were both very professional, friendly and gave an amazing massage!! I would definitely book them again the next time we’re in town. We got the hour and a half massage and it was priced very well. My husband and I definitely felt more relaxed and are so happy that we were able to experience this for our 1 year anniversary.read more
Karey
Karey
22:11 17 Mar 21
My husband and I had a couples massage for our anniversary. They came directly to our cabin at the Cotton Gin and gave the best, most relaxing massage. Very friendly, very professional. Absolutely the best massage experience I have ever had! We will be scheduling with them again as soon as possible!! Highly recommend!!read more
Jennifer Dupuis
Jennifer Dupuis
20:59 27 Feb 21
Just awesome! My husband was helped beyond measure. As did I! This was much more than a massage. So much knowledge. So much experience. Truly caring individuals. Both my husband and I receive massages frequently. For sure, this was the BEST. Thank you both sooo much!read more
Dana McElroy
Dana McElroy
01:03 19 Feb 21
I love massages and get them quite often. This was the BEST one I have had. EVER. I think many therapists get hung up on whether it’s a Swedish massage or deep tissue. Not here! The massage was not one specific type. I felt like she really treated ME rather than just my back pain. I felt so good, so free after my massage… I live three and a half hours away and will be going back to Fredericksburg just to get another massage. Also – so accommodating—- I got stuck in town during a winter storm and she worked me in just a few hours after I sent a message. I’m so glad she did. Amazing! I would give more than five stars if that was possible. Highly recommend!read more
Sarah Rivas 2
Sarah Rivas 2
02:55 05 Feb 21
Everything was awesome! From the welcoming environment to the great customer service. This is my second massage there & I will be returning back soon 😊 *Highly recommended 👍read more
Christy Mumma
Christy Mumma
22:07 24 Jan 21
My experience with Isla was truly WONDERFUL! Not only was the massage the best I’ve ever had, but she was impressively knowledgeable about the human body; therefore knew exactly how to treat areas of concern. And lastly, I sincerely enjoyed her warm personality. The overall experience was EXCELLENT!read more
Christina Simmons
Christina Simmons
20:58 29 Dec 20
Great massage! Very knowledgeable and caring. She took the time to really understand my concerns. I look forward to my next massage!read more
Carl Rubadue
Carl Rubadue
14:47 09 Nov 20
We have had the pleasure of working with Isla on numerous occasions for receiving massages and couples massages. She is timely, communicates well and is professional. As a guest house property owner, we have 7 cabins folks rent from us and when they ask who we would recommend or can we arrange for a massage, we recommend Isla. She is flexible, sometimes comes to the cabin for the guest and we have received many thanks for the recommendation.You will not be disappointed!read more
J.R. Hudson
J.R. Hudson
17:48 07 Nov 20
Absolutely amazing!! I’ve had massages at resorts all over the world and this was hands down the best one I’ve had. The welcome is very personal and prepare yourself for the ultimate relaxation!!!read more
Patty Williamson
Patty Williamson
23:19 04 Nov 20
Isla has an immense amount of knowledge and is very intuitive. Her experience is obvious and it was certainly beneficial for me. I highly recommend her!read more
Brandi Harris
Brandi Harris
00:50 13 Oct 20
My husband and I had a great experience at Better Existence Sweet Transformation massage. It was easy to book by texting and they were flexible on times for our appointment. Isla and Martina were both very knowledgeable and focused on working on troublesome spots. This is not just a generic massage but very custom to your areas that need specific attention. We definitely would book again.read more
Christina Wall
Christina Wall
20:18 09 Oct 20
Great service, friendly and warming environment. We enjoyed the weekend special. It was a perfect relaxation start to our anniversary weekend 😃read more
Melissa Panzarini
Melissa Panzarini
16:35 07 Oct 20
Isla is a very professional and talented massage therapist. I first hired her to work with my daughter who is a professional athlete and horse woman. She was experiencing a lot of pain and she was able to give her relief from that. I also am an athlete with very old injuries and had daily pain. Isla is one of the best therapists I’ve ever seen and has improved my quality of life thoroughly!read more
Alinda Rose
Alinda Rose
21:28 27 Sep 20
If what you care about is a great massage with someone who really knows what she’s doing then this is the place. You get tremendous value here, you cannot get a better massage! Isla is very accommodating and really listens to your needs. Her place is charming, quiet, cozy, comfortable and she is continually working on ways to make it even better.read more
Ricky Clark
Ricky Clark
18:35 26 Sep 20
Isla and Martina were awesome! We did a couples massage for our anniversary! They tailored the massages for our personal needs and really took their time! One of the best massages we have ever had! We will definitely go back to them!read more
Juli Bahlinger
Juli Bahlinger
19:08 24 Sep 20
Isla is an experienced healer. The issues that I have with my back and neck respond well to massage. Isla’s ability to take massage to the next level puts it in the category of deep tissue healing. I have seen amazing results through her work.read more
Janelle Joseph
Janelle Joseph
14:36 24 Sep 20
I always have such a great experience. She is a little power house. Very kind, extremely professional. One of the last times I asked her a question about a specific area and or stretching after our session and she stayed and showed me multiple stretches. She is the best!read more
Francis Joseph
Francis Joseph
01:45 24 Sep 20
Isla is OUTSTANDING and my wife Janelle requests her every time we visit Fredericksburg! She is easy to schedule appointments with and shows up on time and delivers a very professional and relaxing massage experience. I highly recommend you use her. -Francisread more
Mandy Smith
Mandy Smith
00:51 24 Sep 20
Wonderful experience!! My husband and I scheduled a couples massage for an anniversary weekend and we were not disappointed. Isla gave lots of attention to his tight shoulders and neck with hot stones and towels and Linda had me in a completely relaxed state by the time we left. They were both very professional and friendly. Will visit again next time we’re in the area!read more
Flora Aleman
Flora Aleman
20:34 18 Aug 20
I have been going to Isla since before the pandemic. She is extremely knowledgeable, and takes the time to ensure she has worked through my problem areas. She keeps her business very clean and comfortable. I have always felt better after leaving her establishment. Highly recommended!!read more
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1789 W US HIGHWAY 290 | FREDERICKSBURG, TX 78624